The Mansion Mourns

July 22, 2013

The Sutherlin Mansion at the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History will go into mourning on July 22nd in honor of Major William T. Sutherlin. Major Sutherlin was a major tobacco baron and businessman whose skills made him a valuable Quartermaster during the Civil War, even though he was reluctant to secede from the Union. A Danville Mayor and Alderman, he was also a proponent of education. The Sutherlin Mansion will be following 19th century funerary customs to commemorate the death of the Major July 22, 1893. Black wreaths and crepe will be placed on the front doors until August 16th. Mirrors are covered in black. Exhibits include Edwardian mourning dress and hair jewelry. Visitors will learn of these and other displays’ significance to the grieving Victorians.